Rupert Phillips Jr.
2020 - Present
2024
3
Rupie Phillips (Republican Party) is a member of the West Virginia State Senate, representing District 7. He assumed office on December 1, 2020. His current term ends on December 1, 2024.
Phillips (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the West Virginia State Senate to represent District 7. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the Republican primary on May 14, 2024.
Phillips originally served as a Democrat, but changed his party affiliation on January 26, 2017. Regarding the change in affiliation, Phillips stated that the Democratic Party did not match his values or the values of his district, specifically in reference to policies involving coal, guns, and abortion.[1]
Biography
Rupie Phillips graduated from Man High School in 1987. Phillips served in the United States Air Force. His career experience includes working in the coal industry and as a sales representative at White Armature Works.[2][3]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Phillips was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
- Confirmations Committee
- Energy, Industry and Mining Committee
- Senate Finance Committee, Vice Chair
- Senate Government Organization Committee
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2021-2022
Phillips was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy, Industry and Mining Committee, Vice chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Natural Resources Committee
- Military Committee, Vice chair
- Workforce Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| West Virginia committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Energy |
| • Roads and Transportation |
| • Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Phillips, Jr. served on the following committees:
| West Virginia committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Government Organization |
| • Senior Citizen Issues |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Phillips served on the following committees:
| West Virginia committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business |
| • Natural Resources |
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Finance |
| • Children, Juveniles and Other Issues |
| • Equal Pay Commission |
| • Joint Finance |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Phillips served on these committees:
| West Virginia committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Government Organization |
| • Joint Government Organization |
| • Natural Resources |
| • Political Subdivisions |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for West Virginia State Senate District 7
Incumbent Rupie Phillips is running in the general election for West Virginia State Senate District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Rupie Phillips (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7
Incumbent Rupie Phillips advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rupie Phillips | 100.0 | 7,860 |
| Total votes: 7,860 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2020
See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for West Virginia State Senate District 7
Rupie Phillips defeated Ralph Rodighiero in the general election for West Virginia State Senate District 7 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rupie Phillips (R) | 56.2 | 20,608 |
 | Ralph Rodighiero (D) | 43.8 | 16,038 | |
| Total votes: 36,646 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7
Ralph Rodighiero advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ralph Rodighiero | 100.0 | 10,146 |
| Total votes: 10,146 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7
Rupie Phillips advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 7 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rupie Phillips | 100.0 | 5,863 |
| Total votes: 5,863 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 3
Carol Miller defeated Richard Ojeda in the general election for U.S. House West Virginia District 3 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Carol Miller (R) | 56.4 | 98,645 |
 | Richard Ojeda (D) | 43.6 | 76,340 | |
| Total votes: 174,985 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 3
Richard Ojeda defeated Shirley Love, Paul Davis, and Janice Hagerman in the Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 3 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Richard Ojeda | 52.2 | 29,867 |
 | Shirley Love | 24.6 | 14,109 | |
 | Paul Davis | 16.0 | 9,137 | |
 | Janice Hagerman | 7.2 | 4,147 | |
| Total votes: 57,260 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Steve Williams (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 3
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 3 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Carol Miller | 23.8 | 8,923 |
| Rupie Phillips | 19.5 | 7,319 | |
 | Marty Gearheart | 18.2 | 6,814 | |
 | Conrad Lucas | 18.1 | 6,771 | |
 | Richard Ray Snuffer | 10.6 | 3,987 | |
 | Ayne Amjad | 7.5 | 2,795 | |
 | Philip Payton | 2.3 | 861 | |
| Total votes: 37,470 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2016
Elections for the West Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 10, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 30, 2016.
Incumbent Rupert Phillips, Jr. and incumbent Ralph Rodighiero defeated Aaron Stone in the West Virginia House of Delegates District 24 general election.[4][5]
| West Virginia House of Delegates District 24, General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Rupert Phillips, Jr. Incumbent |
32.27% | 5,174 | |
| Democratic | Ralph Rodighiero Incumbent |
45.08% | 7,227 | |
| Republican | Aaron Stone | 22.65% | 3,632 | |
| Total Votes | 16,033 | |||
| Source: West Virginia Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Rupert Phillips, Jr. and incumbent Ralph Rodighiero defeated Michael D. Johnson in the West Virginia House of Delegates District 24 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| West Virginia House of Delegates District 24, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Rupert Phillips, Jr. Incumbent |
36.36% | 3,755 | |
| Democratic | Ralph Rodighiero Incumbent |
47.81% | 4,938 | |
| Democratic | Michael D. Johnson | 15.83% | 1,635 | |
| Total Votes | 10,328 | |||
Tamus Rowe and Aaron Stone were unopposed in the West Virginia House of Delegates District 24 Republican primary.[6][7]
| West Virginia House of Delegates District 24, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Tamus Rowe | |
| Republican | Aaron Stone | |
2014
Elections for the West Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 13, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 25, 2014. District 24 is represented by two delegates. District 24 is represented by two delegates. Incumbent Rupert Phillips, Jr. and Ralph Rodighiero defeated incumbent Ted Tomblin and David Graham in the Democratic primary. Gloria Meadows was unopposed in the Republican primary, but did not appear on the general election list of candidates. Rodighiero and Phillips defeated Larry Rogers (I) in the general election.[8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ralph Rodighiero |
41.3% | 4,511 | |
| Democratic | Rupert Phillips, Jr Incumbent |
37.7% | 4,120 | |
| Independent | Larry Rogers | 20.9% | 2,287 | |
| Total Votes | 10,918 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Ralph Rodighiero |
29.9% | 2,292 |
| Rupert Phillips, Jr. Incumbent |
27.7% | 2,125 |
| Ted Tomblin Incumbent | 27% | 2,069 |
| David Graham | 15.4% | 1,179 |
| Total Votes | 7,665 | |
2012
Phillips ran for re-election in the 2012 election for West Virginia House of Delegates, District 24. Phillips and Teddy "Ted" Tomblin defeated Harry Freeman, Lidella Wilson Hrutkay, Larry E. Rogers (Kentucky), Chris Stratton, and Joe White in the May 8 primary election. Phillips and Tomblin were unchallenged in general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10][11][12]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Rupert Phillips, Jr. Incumbent |
26.2% | 2,917 |
| Ted Tomblin |
25.1% | 2,794 |
| Harry Freeman | 14.1% | 1,573 |
| Lidella Wilson Hrutkay | 10.7% | 1,195 |
| Larry E. Rogers | 10.7% | 1,189 |
| Joe White | 10.1% | 1,124 |
| Chris Stratton | 3.2% | 352 |
| Total Votes | 11,144 | |
2010
Phillips was elected to one of the four positions in District 19 on the ballot in the November 2, 2010, general election. He defeated Democrats Ted Ellis, David Eplin, Harry Freeman, A. Jay Hatfield, Gary L. Johngrass, Teddy Toblin and Ed Triplett in the May 11 primary. His opponents in the general election were Republicans Elias Gregory and Chad Story; Democratic incumbents Josh Stowers, Ralph Rodighiero and Greg Butcher. Only the top four vote-getters were elected.[13][14][15]
| West Virginia House of Delegates, District 19 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Ralph Rodighiero (D)
|
10,372 | 21.59% | ||
| Gregory Butcher (D)
|
9,706 | 20.20% | ||
| Josh Stowers (D)
|
9,291 | 19.34% | ||
| Rupert Phillips, Jr. (D)
|
8,672 | 18.05% | ||
| Chad Story (R) | 5,140 | 10.70% | ||
| Elias Gregory (R) | 4,861 | 10.12 | ||
| West Virginia House of Delegates, District 19 Democratic Primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Josh Daniel Stowers (D)
|
4,748 | 13.94% | ||
| Ralph M. Rodighiero (D)
|
4,704 | 13.81% | ||
| Rupert Wilson Phillips, Jr. (D)
|
4,205 | 12.35% | ||
| Gregory Allen Butcher (D)
|
4,060 | 11.92% | ||
| Teddy H. Ellis (D) | 3,890 | 11.42% | ||
| Theodore Jay Tomblin (D) | 3,212 | 9.43% | ||
| Harry Ernest Freeman (D) | 2,593 | 7.61% | ||
| Eddie Lee Triplett (D) | 1,591 | 4.67% | ||
| A. Jay Hatfield (D) | 1,567 | 4.60% | ||
| Gary Lee Johngrass (D) | 961 | 2.82 % | ||
| David Colby Eplin (D) | 895 | 2.63% | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rupie Phillips has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Rupie Phillips, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
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2020
Rupie Phillips did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Rupie Phillips participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 17, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Rupie Phillips's responses follow below.[16]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | We must bring jobs back to West Virginia through lowering taxes, improving our infrastructure, and reversing Obama-era regulations that destroyed the coal industry. Our Second Amendment rights are in jeopardy and I will always defend our right to bear arms, which is why I've been endorsed by the West Virginia Citizens Defense League. Lastly, I will always advocate for policies that protect the sanctity of life.[17][18] | ” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | My father was a coal miner for 32 years and I grew up in a coal camp. I live in one to this day. West Virginia has a rich history of coal and in Congress, I will always fight for coal and coal miners. During my time in the West Virginia House of Delegates, I have fought for West Virginia's coal industry and because of the work I've done, I am the only candidate for Congress endorsed by the West Virginia Coal Association. When the coal industry thrives, so do our communities.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[18]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Rupie Phillips answered the following:
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
| “ | Elected officials must be honest and represent their constituents. If elected, I will not make any promises, except for I will fight hard every day for my constituents and their interests, not the interests of any lobbyist or corporation.[18] | ” |
| “ | The core responsibility of anyone elected to public office is to represent the values of their constituents. I will always represent Southern West Virginia conservative values if elected to Congress.[18] | ” |
| “ | I believe in term limits. I proudly signed the US Term Limits Pledge because we don't need more career politicians in Congress, we need more people willing to roll up their sleeves and fight for their constituents.[18] | ” |
2016
Phillips' Facebook page highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
As your Delegate for the 24th District I have stood up for the coal miner, coal jobs, and gun owners. I have stood against overreaching regulations that prevent our men and women from mining coal, coal companies from operating on an even playing field with other industries, and overreaching gun restrictions that prevent law abiding citizens from exerting their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If elected, I will continue to fight for your coal jobs, coal mining, guns, and your freedom.[18] |
” |
| —Rupert Phillips Jr.[19] | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of West Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 11.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from February 10 to April 10.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 7.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 10.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from February 8 through April 9. The legislature held a special session from May 4 to June 26. The legislature held its second special session from August 1 to September 15.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 through March 12.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 14 through March 14.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 through March 10.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
When he served in the state House, Phillips had one child.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder West Virginia State Senate District 7 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ WDTV.com "W.Va Representative official becomes only independent in state legislature," accessed January 26, 2017
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Rupie Phillips," accessed February 18, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, Delegate Rupie Phillips, "Biography," accessed February 18, 2018
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate search," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "2016 official general election results," accessed May 3, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Listing by Office," accessed January 30, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - Primary Election - May 10, 2016," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate search," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results," accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ WBOY.com, "West Virginia General Election Results November 6, 2012," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - General Election - November 6, 2012," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - Primary Election - May 8, 2012," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - General Election - November 2, 2010," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Statewide Results - Primary Election - May 11, 2010," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Official General Election Results," accessed April 24, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Rupie Phillips's responses," April 17, 2018
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Facebook, "Delegate Rupie Phillips," accessed October 20, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Paul Hardesty (D) |
West Virginia State Senate District 7 2020-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
West Virginia House of Delegates District 24 2010-2018 |
Succeeded by - |
